Meatless Monday Roundup: 5 Pomegranate Recipes
Image: stevendepolo
Pomegranate is a truly legendary fruit. Not only is it assumed to be the “apple” of Adam and Eve’s garden of Eden (the Latin roots of the word mean “seeded apple”), but its cultural importance goes back as far as Ancient Greece, when according to mythology, Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, was held captive by Hades, the god of the underworld, who would have her as his queen. She ate six pomegranate seeds during her stay, and so for six months out of the year, she must live by his side. During these winter months, her mother, the goddess of the harvest, mourns the lost of her daughter… months that are quickly approaching! Brighten them up this week, with a meatless Monday recipe featuring antioxidant-rich pomegranate.
Start out with these meatless keftehs, flavored with sweet-and-sour pomegranate. Never fear; these don’t use artificial meat replacements, they’re all natural, with eggplant and freekeh, a traditional Middle Eastern ingredient also known as green wheat. These delicious and exotic keftehs are flavored with ras el hanout, a blend of Middle Eastern spices whose name translates to “top of the shelf.” The blend was invented by spice shopkeepers, when customers requested only the best.
Next, journey to Persia, for a Persian pomegranate walnut stew. The stew combines the pomegranates and walnuts with butternut squash, mushrooms, cardamom and saffron. The bright and warming spices of this stew are sure to make it a success.
Pomegranates are delicious in salads; our very own recipe combines mache, fuyu persimmons, pomegranate seeds and candied spiced nuts for a delicious, exotic salad that’s exploding with flavors and colors. The wintery blend of ingredients has nothing bland about it, and it’s chock full of important vitamins and minerals to get you through the winter.
Let’s not forget dessert! Our very own pomegranate poached pears are a guilt-free sweet with dramatic color! This delicious dish is perfect right now, when delicious organic pears are in season.
For something a bit more decadent, look no further than a dark chocolate pomegranate mousse. On top of being meatless, this mousse is also vegan. It uses tofu to obtain its silky texture. Eating healthy desserts never tasted so good.
